With the way the Celtics shot the ball in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against Miami, they deserved to lose. The Heat capitalized on several easy-chance buckets and were able to hold off a few runs by Boston to protect their home court. The Celtics probably would have lost the game regardless of how it was officiated, but that does not excuse the actions of the game’s referees on Monday night.
Perhaps the officials were expecting a chippy series and wanted to put an end to any dust-ups before they began, but referees Ed Malloy and Danny Crawford took it too far on several occasions during Game 1 — particularly when Malloy gave Doc Rivers a technical for yelling, “Come on, Eddie!” It was the fourth of five Celtics technicals on the night.
“I know mine wasn’t (deserved),” Rivers said after the game according to WEEI.com. “I don’t know how long I’ve been in the league, but that has to rank as the worst I’ve ever had. I would have liked to have earned it.”
The first technical of the night was assessed to Ray Allen. The typically well-mannered guard mildly protested what was a horrible call after he had position on Dwyane Wade who was looking to catch the ball in the paint. Crawford T’ed him up immediately. The second was a team technical assessed to Kevin Garnett when K.G. was called for a delay of game after lightly tipping the ball to the Miami baseline follwing a Celtics basket. By the book it was the right call, but it happens constantly and there was no ill intent by Garnett. It should have been let go given the situation.
The closest thing to a deserved technical came when Rajon Rondo and Shane Battier got tangled up out of bounds and Rondo shoved him. It was more of a heat of the moment type play that the officials could have easily handed out a verbal warning for, but the theme of blowing quick whistles continued.
Again, Boston was horrible on offense and deserved to lose the game. That in no way excuses the power trip that Monday night’s officiating crew decided to embark on.
Photo credit: David Butler II-US PRESSWIRE
